The Latest: 9 firefighters, 6 officers hurt in NYC explosion

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on a house explosion that killed a New York City firefighter (all times local):

1:25 p.m.

New York City’s fire commissioner says a blast that took the life of a battalion chief also injured nine other firefighters and six police officers.

Commissioner Daniel Nigro (NY’-groh) says two civilians and three Con Ed workers also suffered minor injuries in the Bronx house explosion.

The explosion Tuesday morning killed Michael Fahy, a 17-year veteran and the son of a fire chief.

The house and surrounding buildings had been evacuated following a gas leak report. Fahy was directing operations from the street when he was struck by falling debris.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill says part of the investigation will involve looking into the location as a possible marijuana “grow house.”

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Noon

New York City’s fire commissioner says a Bronx battalion chief killed in a house explosion was a “rising star” in the department.

Commissioner Daniel Nigro (NY’-groh) and Mayor Bill de Blasio say Michael Fahy was a father of three and the son of a fire chief.

The house and surrounding buildings had been evacuated Tuesday following a gas leak report. Fahy was directing operations from the street when he was struck by falling debris.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill says part of the investigation will involve looking into the location as a possible marijuana “grow house.”

Nigro says there were renters living in the house. Police say six officers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

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11:30 a.m.

Authorities have identified a New York City firefighter killed in a house explosion as a Bronx battalion chief.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro (NY’-groh) say Michael Fahy, a 17 year veteran, was a father of three.

He was struck by debris from the Tuesday morning collapse and rushed to the hospital, but could not be saved.

Authorities say they were responding to a report of a gas leak when the residence exploded shortly after firefighters discovered a possible drug lab there.

The explosion rocked an area of row houses in the Kingsbridge neighborhood.

Images from the scene showed much of the house gone and debris strewn on the street and covering parked cars. Parts of the first floor with hollowed-out window panes could be made out.

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This story has been corrected to show that the last name of the fallen fire chief is Fahy, not Fahey.

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10 a.m.

The Fire Department of New York says a firefighter has died in a Bronx house explosion after a report of a gas leak and a drug lab.

Authorities say firefighters responding to a report of a gas leak Tuesday morning in the Bronx discovered what appeared to be a drug lab right before a two-story private house exploded. Images from the scene showed much of the house gone and debris on the street and covering parked cars.

The FDNY confirmed a firefighter’s death later Tuesday morning.

Police say six officers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The mayor’s office had tweeted that the mayor and fire commissioner were at the hospital.

Authorities say firefighters had notified police after finding a drug lab. The house exploded afterward.

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9:45 a.m.

Police say a firefighter has been critically injured in a New York City house explosion.

Authorities say firefighters responding to a report of a gas leak Tuesday morning in the Bronx discovered what appeared to be a drug lab right before a two-story private house exploded. Images from the scene showed much of the house gone and debris on the street and covering parked cars.

Police say one firefighter was taken to a hospital in critical condition and six officers were taken to a hospital with minor injuries.

The mayor’s office tweeted that the mayor and fire commissioner were at a nearby hospital.

Authorities say firefighters had notified police after finding what they believed to be a drug lab. The house exploded afterward.

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8:55 a.m.

Authorities are investigating an explosion at a Bronx house where firefighters discovered what appeared to be a drug lab after responding to a report of a gas leak.

The fire department says seven people suffered minor injuries, six of whom were taken to a hospital.

Police say it happened Tuesday morning at a two-story private house on West 234th Street.

They say firefighters went there around 7:30 a.m. While investigating for a gas leak police say they discovered what appeared to be a drug lab and notified police.

Police say the house exploded afterward but it wasn’t immediately clear what caused it.

The injured included four police officers, one firefighter and one civilian.